The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-13

! pieZiOn, that invited without fear even the
! kiss of July sun, was just tinged with a
faint glow that might have been merely the
reflection from the lining of her broad
trimmed hat, and the cardinal lining itself
was not redder than the Curved red lips
that chartered nonsense as carelessly as if
| there were no touch of heartache to be
hidden. She was prettier than ever in that
rough flannel suit, with just the CLEAN Of
scarlet in her ha: to give color TO the whole,
Robert Marshall thought, critically; won
1 dering, the while, how he had been unluclSy
enough to offend her. Miss Leigh's greet
ing had been decidedly cool, and he was
puzzled to account for the sudden altera-
| ton; but the management Of his white
winged craft occupied his thoughts more
| pleasantly than the caprices Of this young
lady, who was, after all, but one out of
| several pretty girls. Miss Arnitage, for
! instance, had eyes like spring violets; it
| wouldn't be an unpleasant task to teach her
the mysteries Of ''tacking'' and ''veering,'
| which instruction would at least be amiably
received.
1t was pleasant sail down through the
windings Of the creek, past sloping green
banks dotted with groups of white buildings.
There are lavish suggestions about every
and corn-cribs make him seem the proprie-
tor OF whole village. Farther on came
the green salt marshes, cleaning with en-
erald lights under the fervid July sun;
startled birds rose and circled, and sank
again among the rank grasses, but the little
white-winged vessel kept her steady course
toward the blue, broad water, then out and
across, till the beach, that had seemed a
mere pIrple-gray line against the horizon,
was reached at last.
''NOw, what is to be done first?n asked
Mrs. Warmer. ''The gentlemen, suppose,
are going fshing-that being a necessity
before we can dine properly. Who will go
with them? You, Bonny!n knowing the
girls utter fearlessness, and delight in the
tossing, crested waves that were apt to
break over the boat when the fishing
grounds on the other side of the island were
reached.
''NJs this time l think" 1t was a tardy
remembrance Of her lovers wish that
prompted her refusal. Il think that would
be rather more than Maize would enjoy"
she added, with a smile.
They were standing on the firm. white |
beach, surrounded by the pile of baskets |
and wraps and bundles that a party OF this |
s,,rt always necessitates. The Judge and |
DIr. Marshall and the boys were preparing |
to start OFT again.
eve want to go in the surf, you see," |
she said, pointing 90 the bundle Of bathing |
suits; land know you won't lei Florry 90 |
in after dinner"
Every true" said Mrs. Warriner; ''but |
don't exactly like the idea OF your going in |
without gentleman Al. I'll ask Bob to stay |
NO, inleei," protested Bonnibel with a |
vague belief that such a course would not |
be likely to meet with Earls approval |
See! they're already starting-don't call |
them back. There's comparatively little |
surf today, and We really don't need them.
Do we, girls:''
The girls addressed answered No. as in
duty bound; Maize, doubtfully, and Florry
indIfferently-itWa was oIly Bob! SO the three
started of, round the island, to where the
-ong line Of white proclaimed the shallow,
shelving beach below.
why, believe l could 60 ont for quar-
-er of q milc!" exclaimed Bonnbel. Did
.ou eyer see the white caps reach OFT 50
Tar befora!"
Il don't believe ever did," answered
Florry, letting the little curling waves
;-cep up about her bare ankles, and watch
ng them as they broke, in long, curving
lardly surf at all to-day. Maize will think
'Ou are not to be trusted"
Never mind" retorted Bonnibel; ''iust
'dt yourselves in it, and you viii find fair
mount of eXhilaration." She had plunged
4 boldly, and emerged, breathless and
tripping Come, Mazie-come, Florry-
cts 50 farther out,''
Not l." s2jd Florry, prudeutly. 81 pre-
er to hug the shore, if you please don't
IN into any unnecessary danger
Danger! nonsense! why, it is hardly up
o my waist here. VIII you come with me,
Iazie: I mean % find better fun than this.
II promise to stop" she added, seeing thai
er friend hcsi5ase1, whenever it seems to
e getting deep-bUt you see for yourself
That very gradual slope this is!''
Hand in hand they ran out together,
roasting the waves with al eager. breath
es5 excitement thai sIrf-bathing alone can I
I'VE I
Come backr' called Fl9rry; but they ]
My la1gdsi-th3 wafer WIS far too shall |
wv still
Il think must have been a duc1-or
some previous state of {
Xisteace," gdspei Donnioel Il an never !
- but the rest Of the sentence was lost ]
l the rush and gJrgle of the waters as
hey closed round he-. She WAS choked [
nd bewil1ered for the n On ent, but hardly
'ightenod. She had been knocked over by
lie waves too many times for the sen sation
} be On unfamiliar one. Sac would BE- /
eady to laugh when she recovered her I
,otIng. But that was not 81 easy az it
lOuld have been. Sac struggled wildly,
rowing out he- hla Is IN the vain attempt
} touch sOneth!ng-a1d the horror of find
e nothing bat water. in an unknown
epth. a0Ove bel0w aai around her. struck
ONE with a colder chill than the waves.
Help! He,pr' she criel hoarselv, as :
le rose at last to the surface, though {
moving a she did 50 that the cry was all
vain. There was oaly Florry, and what
ould she do.
She had heard OF people learning 20 swim
trough sheer fright, but her frantic at {
,mpts only made the green waves close |
yer her all the sooner, and the shore
eemed strangely distant. Once more that z
readful struggle In the CLASSY depths. c
Jas she to die there, in very sight of land,
Id with no one to help her: 1t seemed
She could not believe it q
ne, Bonn bel Leigh, all in the flush of |
Outh, and life. and love, yet there was no t
Ossible help that could reach her in time I
s she rose again she could see dimly the G
lore, and Florry's blIe-gowned figure;
,uld hear the faint, shrill call: Come S
lck, Bounibel, come back! You are going L
70 far
How vain TO cry ''come back" while the s
ob-tide was carrying her farther and S
Irther away from the shore-ncarer and I
carer to the dreadful death that stared her G
the face. Yet her steady nerve did not t
together desert her in this hour of peril, ]
III she reasoned with herself as calmly as I
she had been safe in her own little room
home. Y